How to pronounce catastrophic
Say it like kat-uh-STRAH-fik. Catastrophic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STRAH).
Click the play button next to American or British to hear how to pronounce catastrophic. Choose Slow to hear each sound clearly.
- kat
- uh
- STRAH
- fik
- Main stress
- Lighter stress
- Unstressed
Catastrophic pronunciation, sound by sound
Read the parts left to right, then blend them together without pausing.
- katGive this part a little weight. The vowel is the "a" in cat.
- uhKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the relaxed "uh" in about.
- STRAHSay this part loudest and longest. The vowel is the "ah" in father.
- fikKeep this part quick and light. The vowel is the "i" in sit.
American vs British pronunciation of catastrophic
- The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English.
- Americans usually soften the t in the middle into a quick d-like tap; British speakers keep a crisp t.
British respelling: kat-uh-STROF-ik.
What does catastrophic mean?
- extremely harmful; bringing physical or financial ruin“a catastrophic depression”“catastrophic illness”
Similar and opposite words
Similar meaning
Words that rhyme with catastrophic
Practicing rhymes is a quick way to lock in the vowel sound of catastrophic.
Questions about saying catastrophic
How do you pronounce catastrophic?
Say kat-uh-STRAH-fik. The American pronunciation is /ˌkætəˈstrɑfɪk/. In British English it is /ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk/. Press play above to hear it at normal speed or slowly.
How many syllables are in catastrophic?
Catastrophic has four syllables, and the main stress falls on the third one (STRAH). Broken into parts: kat · uh · STRAH · fik.
Is catastrophic pronounced differently in British English?
Yes. The short o is rounded in British English (as in "hot"), but open and unrounded in American English. The British form is /ˌkætəˈstrɒfɪk/ (kat-uh-STROF-ik).